Six Sigma in healthcare delivery

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the extant Six Sigma healthcare literature, focusing on: application, process changes initiated and outcomes, including improvements in process metrics, cost and revenue.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from an extensive literature search. Healthcare Six Sigma applications were categorized by functional area and department, key process metric, cost savings and revenue generation (if any) and other key implementation characteristics.

Findings

Several inpatient care areas have seen most applications, including admission, discharge, medication administration, operating room (OR), cardiac and intensive care. About 42.1 percent of the applications have error rate as their driving metric, with the remainder focusing on process time (38 percent) and productivity (18.9 percent). While 67 percent had initial improvement in the key process metric, only 10 percent reported sustained improvement. Only 28 percent reported cost savings and 8 percent offered revenue enhancement. These results do not favorably assess Six Sigma's overall effectiveness and the value it offers healthcare. Results are based on reported applications. Future research can include directly surveying healthcare organizations to provide additional data for assessment.

Practical implications

Future application should emphasize obtaining improvements that lead to significant and sustainable value. Healthcare staff can use the results to target promising areas.

Originality/value

This article comprehensively assesses Six Sigma healthcare applications and impact.

Citation

J. Liberatore, M. (2013), "Six Sigma in healthcare delivery", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 26 No. 7, pp. 601-626. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-09-2011-0054